A special birthday

Sunday night about 15 of us from the family gathered at Mi Casita to surprise Poppy for his birthday. (His actual birthday was Tuesday.) It was the big 5-0!! Mom and Dad will also celebrate 30 years of marriage this year, so this is a BIG year for them. They are actually going on a cruise in March. They certainly deserve it!

Anyway, we were so pleased to actually pull off a surprise party. My father is the man who guesses EVERY single gift that we've ever given him. We just knew he knew about the party.

We waited and waited for him to arrive.

And we waited some more...

Then he arrived!!! And he was clueless!

He never saw it coming- ha! Good one, Mom ;)

Of course we sang "happy birthday" and let him blow out the candles.

And just when he thought he was off the hook and over the embarrassment, there was more...

More festive singing!! ha ha

And then he was anointed with cream from his birthday dessert. This is a Mi Casita tradition. And maybe all Mexican restaurants do this?? Fun times!

We love you very much Poppy!

Valentine's Day All Weekend

Is it Valentine's Day??? We have been celebrating it for the last 4 days it seems! We have had lots and lots of fun playing outside (finally), getting ready for Valentine's Day, and celebrating several birthdays. Warning: Lots of pictures...

Decorating cookies Thursday night

Aren't they beautiful;)

B is into wearing panties... but not always HER panties. I caught her on the rocking horse wearing mine- ha!

Friday night we went to a 2nd birthday party for this handsome & sweet little boy Kooper

While we were there, we ran into this little man- Luke. He is so beautiful it hurts! His mommy, Danielle, better watch out.

Saturday morning we were so happy to enjoy the great weather. B of course found her own clothes for the day... the same shirt we wear almost everyday. Oh, and notice the pj's. Dora, of course!

While outside we practiced our flips and tricks.

And  Collin did some tricks that made mommy a little nervous :/

All ready for a day outside! Little Diva.

We celebrated Collin sleeping all night by himself in his room for 2 nights in a row. Actually, we are still scratching our heads about this. We are updating his room with a dino theme, and he has been so excited about this! He watches a movie and happily goes to sleep just like a big boy. We honestly can't believe it.

We have been opening Valentine's "happies" like it's Christmas again. (yes, we are a little spoiled) We also have eaten more candy than any human ever should.

We made treats for our classmates and church friends.

Did I mention we've eaten an excessive amount of candy?? B has the proof with chocolate all over her face.

And more playing outside in the FABULOUS weather!

Last night, we celebrated a very special man turning 50 years old!! Yes, Poppy is a mere child in the Grandfather Club- ha. Even though he thinks he is so old. He was so surprised at his Mi Casita surprise party. That will be another post. Also, Happy Birthday to sweet Poppa!! (Whose birthday is today!)  We will celebrate his birthday on Thursday. Whew!

We hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day and gets to spend time with the people they love.

Kids Rule

It has been sort of a "blah" week for us. We have been staying indoors mostly due to the cold weather that is just no fun to play in. Even the kids agree with this! Last Friday after the icy roads cleared, we went with the Burchfields to play and jump at Kids Rule in Hattiesburg. Then we went out for dinner. This place is a GREAT one for playdates. (We've actually been 2 weeks in a row-ha)

Sweet Addison

Precious Allie

 On Saturday, I had to work at a benefit rummage sale. Kyle worked his last day at the hospital - Whoo Hoo! This meant that Collin and Brantlee got the best treat of all - a day with Mee Maw, Paw Paw and Pammie! They were all worn out when I picked them up, but I know they had the best day ever! (We were in a rush and I forgot to grab the camera. Naturally.) In fact, they had so much fun that B fell asleep at 5 o'clock on the way home that afternoon. She wouldn't wake up to eat that evening. And she slept until 6:30 the next morning!!! That baby girl was TIRED.

Sunday was of course Superbowl Sunday. Here is Collin after church waiting for the day's festivities. That afternoon we went with Lolly and Poppy to their neighbor's house to listen to some live music and mingle with people we didn't know - ha! Then we headed back to our house for ribs and the game. 

Here is Miss Opinionated About My Wardrobe. She didn't want to wear this outfit and she for sure didn't want to button the jacket. I guess this was her way of sabotaging the picture maybe??

Clothing issues must be a girl thing, because this little fella wears whatever you pull out of the closet!

Hopefully I'll be back soon with some Valentine and weekend pictures. Have a good one!

Keeping it real

On some afternoons when Daddy isn't home (because he despises animals in the house), we let both animals inside. About 50 percent of the time, Daisy and Stella are friends. The other half of the time, it is a disastrous scenario! On this particular day, Stella was feeling friendly, but Daisy looks like she might strike at any minute.

Just for documentation purposes, I am including this picture of our ridiculous sleeping arrangements. We know this looks crazy, and I am almost embarrassed about it. And to be completely honest here, I'm not sure where it all went wrong.

Actually I do.

About a month ago, Brantlee started to revolt against her room. The light bulb went off in her head that she was the only one in the family NOT sleeping in this room. Soon after, she started saying the she was scared in her room and that, and I quote, "the deeus (deers) is comin to get me." Deers?? Where did she come up with this? Anyway, this is where we are in life right now. Never fear though. The Cragers have a plan to get back on track ... we almost always do. But let's face it, you can't get these years back. One day they won't even claim us as parents, and we'll look back on these toddler years and want them back :(

Now on to some random pictures...

                                             Her babies were taking a nap together.

Playing "grocery store" with our play money.

Okay, let me explain. Collin is obsessed with holidays and festive things. (Don't even say it Mom, I know who he gets this from!) Valentine's Day is still over a week away, but Collin insists daily that we start making things for people. Can you guess who his first Valentine is for??

"Allie likes glittery things so I'm putting these hearts on it," I heard him say. SERIOUSLY??!!

He wrote his name all by himself when I wasn't looking, but he made SURE I wrote Allie's name on it... front and back!

After this, Collin didn't want to be sweet anymore. Instead he decided to torture Brantlee by stealing her purple tutu. I'm telling you, it was war over this thing!

Here is B trying so hard to get it back.

She was defeated. Oh the heartbreak!!

(FYI: After this, I stopped taking pictures, assumed the role of parent, and calmed everyone down-ha)

Potty progress!! We all knew that when B was ready to use the potty, she would... but NOT until it was her idea. For that reason, we really didn't push the issue of potty training too much. But recently, she has decided that she likes to wear panties... we don't pee pee in them... and using the potty isn't quit so bad after all. Her accidents are becoming fewer and fewer, and she is soooo proud of herself! She now tells US when she needs to go. I'll stop with some bathroom humor and quotes from the last few weeks:

• Brantlee: "Boys have a ____. Gulls (girls) not have a ____." YIKES!! I'll let you fill in the blank :/
• B has learned that boys get to stand up and pee pee, but girls don't. We have caught her trying to stand up a few times just like big brother Collin. Bless her heart.
• Brantlee: "I'm doing a big, great one!" I promise she didn't hear that from us!

Oh such funny times!